Rideout brothers reunited at South Adelaide Soccer Club

BROTHERLY love was rarely on the cards when the Rideouts took to their backyard for soccer games growing up. Now the siblings have been reunited at South Adelaide Soccer Club.

Alex Riedout (right) has been reunited with his brothers, Jonathon (left) and Phil at South Adelaide Soccer Club. Picture: Stephen Laffer

BROTHERLY love was rarely on the cards when the Rideouts took to their Christies Beach backyard for soccer games growing up.

Youngest sibling Jonathan and oldest brother Anthony teamed up against Alex and Phil in two-versus-two contests not for the faint-hearted.

“It was always pretty heated and competitive with plenty of arguments and tackles flying in,” Phil, now 27, recalls.

“We were all pretty good, but Alex and Jonathan were the best.

“I was probably the dirtiest player.”

Childhood rivalries have been cast aside as the brothers have been reunited at Premier League soccer club South Adelaide.

Attacking midfielder Alex returned to O’Sullivan Beach Sports Complex last month after winning a top flight championship with West Adelaide in 2015.

“My brothers are the main reason I made the big decision to go back to South,” Alex, 24, says.

“Soccer is our whole family.

“My mum and dad watch all our games, so for me to play back at South makes it a lot easier for them.”

The Rideout brothers at South Adelaide training. Picture: Stephen Laffer

The four brothers began their junior careers at the Panthers before moving in different directions.

Anthony, 30, rejoined the club this year as a reserve team assistant coach.

Striker Jonathan followed Alex to West Torrens Birkalla, Cumberland United and powerhouse Adelaide City, but returned to South last season along with central midfielder Phil.

“I’ve been trying to convince Alex for a while to come back,” Jonathan, 20, says.

“We’ve got a bit of a brotherly connection on the pitch.

“He almost knows where I’m running before I do.”

The Rideouts’ on-field reunion ended in a 3-0 loss to top side Adelaide City last Saturday.

Despite sitting second bottom, Alex believes South can avoid relegation and push for its maiden playoff appearance starting with tomorrow’s visit to SA Athletics Stadium to take on Adelaide Comets (3pm kick-off).

“I can see us not just staying up but making the finals,” Alex says.

“The environment is easygoing here and you can play the style of football you want because you’re relaxed.”